5 Surprising Ways to Improve Home Hygiene

Your home looks great. But, while you’ve taken care to put things away and fold the clothes, is the space truly hygienic? If you’re like most people, you could use a bit of help in this area, so let’s look at why it’s important and at surprising ways to improve within the house. This guide isn’t meant to alarm or overwhelm you, but instead to help keep you and your family healthy. Some of the tips may surprise you!

What is Home Hygiene?

What does that mean, exactly? It refers to the ways to keep your house clean while reducing (and preventing) germs, allergens, and smells. The intent is to reduce the health risks for everyone in the home.

Why It’s a Priority

Many people assume it’s about doing a deep clean everywhere around the house. And getting a perfect-looking house. But that’s a myth. Instead, a healthier home is about lowering the chances of getting sick. It’s also about helping those with allergies feel more comfortable, reducing smells, and making sure food is safe. 

How to Make Your Home Healthier

Thankfully, making your place more hygienic doesn’t have to be complicated. Some of these activities may surprise you, though! 

1. Clean Places Germs Hide

Certain spots often get missed. Why? They’re not the most obvious. Little do many people know that germs are accumulating in:

• Toothbrush holders

• Remote controls

• Light switches

• Door handles

The bacteria are growing on the holder that you slide your toothbrush into, so don’t forget to wash it weekly. The remote controls are constantly getting touched, so it makes sense that they’re on the list too; any germs on your hands transfer to them. A weekly wipedown is, therefore, a good activity to add to your cleaning schedule. Finally, light switches and door handles rarely get disinfected, so try to do so at least weekly.

2. Improve Your Freezer. Surprised?

You’re constantly in and out of the freezer to add and defrost meats for dinner, as well as getting a yummy ice cream snack for the kids. But did you know that any spills that have frozen inside the freezer grow bacteria when thawed? 

Also, try to clean freezer shelves now and then. A good average is about every 3-6 months, depending on usage. Using a food-safe solution of vinegar and hot water is usually best for cleaning, after emptying and defrosting the freezer. Then rinse the shelves with water and dry them before putting them back in. 

Plus, if you’re packaging foods yourself before putting them in the freezer, then write the date on them with a pen or marker. That way, you’ll know exactly when you put it into the freezer. So you won’t defrost anything that’s spoiled. Getting sick is not fun.

3. Have You Cleaned the Washing Machine Lately? The Dishwasher?

Unexpected, right? Washing the appliances designed to wash your dishes and clothes is another thing to add to your list. After all, if they’re dirty, how can you expect them to do a good job at cleaning anything well?

The dishwasher filter, for example, traps food, and mold can grow there. As for a front-load washing machine, the rubber seal is a warm place for mildew to grow. 

To clean your dishwasher, a vinegar rinse once a month is a smart plan. It can be as simple as filling a small cup with white vinegar and placing it on the top rack of the dishwasher, then running a hot cycle for hygiene purposes. Remove and clean the filter at the bottom of the machine, too.

Your washing machine could also benefit from similar action. Some people run a cycle with vinegar and hot water only, without any detergent. Remember to remove and wash the filter, often in the trap door at the bottom of the front of the machine, as well; hand-wash it using dish detergent and then dry before putting it back.

4. Open Windows, Even in Winter

Most people open their windows in the summer, but few do so in the wintertime. Cracking a window (or two) open for 5-10 minutes can make a big difference in air quality, so it’s time to start doing it year-round. The air will also smell better.

Opening a window also reduces the chances of mold growing in the frame. Bathrooms and kitchens build up humidity, particularly in the winter. Letting moist air out helps with airflow more than using a store-bought spray would.

Any germs in the air can also be reduced with this simple yet effective activity. That lowers the chances of getting sick, especially between December and February, when you’re more likely to get a cold.

5. Remove Pet Hair to Improve the Air

Opening windows refreshes indoor air, but if you have pets, pet hair and dander can quickly re-circulate and undo those benefits. When sunlight enters a room, you often see pet hair and dander in the air. You might find your allergies get worse. Over time, the air quality in your home plummets.

So, it makes sense to remove pet hair before or immediately after opening the window or putting on a fan to ventilate the house. Focus first on fabric surfaces, such as upholstered sofas, carpets, rugs, and pet beds or blankets. These materials release hair whenever someone walks by or sits down.

Vacuuming often pushes hair deeper down into fabrics, rather than removing it. So, tools that pull hair out rather than spread it are often better. Try a cat or dog hair remover to lift embedded hair from fabrics and surfaces, rather than just spreading it around. You’re also reducing dander and dust stuck in the furniture (and elsewhere). All of which can make your home’s air fresher.

Conclusion

Don’t overlook the spots most people miss around the house when it comes to improving hygiene. The list above highlights things often forgotten, such as door handles and pet hair. While you still ought to do the most obvious cleaning activities around the house, the activities above are good ones to help your family stay healthy and comfortable.